Former White House and DOE Advisor Joins Mission Strategies
David Kovatch
Head of DC Office, Mission Strategies
We are excited to welcome David Kovatch as the new Head of DC Office for Mission Strategies. David has developed deep energy sector expertise working at the intersection of clean energy deployment, supply chains, and national security spanning the three most recent Administrations.
Prior to joining Mission, David was a Senior Advisor to the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office where he focused on topics related to national security, economic competitiveness, market intelligence, risk mitigation, and international affairs. David coordinated LPO’s efforts to develop key domestic critical mineral supply chains, including leading the policy process resulting in the announcement that LPO can support critical minerals mining and extraction activities under the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program.
David previously served on the White House National Security Council, where he held positions as the Director for Energy Transformation and Director for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Policy and Diplomacy. In this capacity, David advanced energy trade policies, helped coordinate IRA tax credit guidance, and led the Administration’s IRA diplomatic outreach and messaging with international partners and allies. At the White House, David also helped develop measures to enhance energy security in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including coordinating the Administration’s policy to ban Russian energy imports and exclude Russian vessels at U.S. ports.
Prior to his term at the White House, David served as the Department of Energy (DOE) Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, where he helped U.S. companies, investors, and exporters navigate the Mexican energy policy landscape. He also established and led the DOE office at the U.S. Embassy in London where he partnered with the UK government and U.S. companies and trade associations to deploy major clean energy investments. David also served as a DOE Senior Advisor for Western Hemisphere energy issues. Before his career in energy, David managed international nuclear nonproliferation projects and served as a strategic advisor to the Deputy Administrator in the National Nuclear Security Administration.
David holds a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is an Americorps alumni and speaks Spanish and Swedish. He lives in Washington, DC with his wife Claire and son Sebastian.
David will grow the Mission team’s DC footprint and supporting clients’ efforts to navigate the complexity of energy supply chains, trade, and national security matters. Please join us in welcoming David to the Mission team!
